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In a recent article by Feoshia Henderson, she describes how Deaconess Medical Monitoring (Deaconess) is marketing a suite of products designed to allow senior citizens to be more independent as they age.

”These products, developed in partnership with Guardian Medical Monitoring, come as Deaconess continues to evolve from a hospital to a senior services and product provider,” Henderson notes.

Products currently available include the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), which alerts a personal emergency responder if a person falls or faces a home security breach. Subscribers wear a necklace or wristband that they can activate in an emergency.

There’s also the Medication Management System, an electronic medication dispenser that helps people manage multiple prescriptions or complex medication schedules. Users can load a month’s worth of medication at a time, and then be alerted when it’s time to take correct doses. After they take their medicines, users hit a blue button on the device to signal they’ve taken the medications. If they don’t hit the button after a certain time, the device withdraws the medicine and notifies a person identified as a first responder.

The goal of the new products is as simple as it is necessary. “We are trying to help people age-in-place and stay independent in their own homes as long as possible,” says Holly Williamson, Deaconess Medical Monitoring Coordinator.

Other products like internet video monitoring and GPS-powered personal location devices help seniors and caretakers transition from a hospital to home. Lack of a successful transition often means repeat trips to hospitals, which translates into seniors more likely to lose their independence while racking up higher healthcare costs.

”Deaconess products are being marketed to individuals, hospitals and senior living facilities, and there are more products being developed,” Williamson notes. The company is an affiliate of Deaconess Associations Foundation and Deaconess Associations, Inc. (the parent company for all Deaconess affiliates), which own and operate Deaconess Long Term Care facilities in Ohio, Kansas, and Missouri.

Deaconess Hospital closed in 2010, and has evolved into a healthcare campus with health-oriented products, services, and resources. The hospital building is leased to the University of Cincinnati Psychiatric Services; Regency Rehabilitation Hospital (a long-term rehabilitation hospital); and other private offices and research facilities.

CAPS designated remodelers like Home Evolutions can help you choose the home renovations that are right for you and within your budget in order for you to achieve all of your aging-in-place needs.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

Siblings who care for their aging parents in the home setting often understands the behind-the-scenes family conflict that can interfere with the care of their parents.

A nationwide program, coined The 50-50 Rule, offers strategies for overcoming sibling differences to help families provide the best care for senior parents. The 50-50 Rule refers to the average age (50 years old) when siblings are caring for their parents, as well as the need for siblings to share in the plans for care, hence the term, “50-50.”

At the core of the 50-50 Rule is a family relationship and communication guide of real-life situations that features practical advice from sibling relationships expert Dr. Ingrid Connidis from the University of Western Ontario.

According to the website Caring.com, family feuds often revolve around the following areas and impact the health status of a senior:

• Roles and rivalries dating back to childhood. Mature adults often find that they’re back in the sandbox when their family gets together. This tendency can grow even more pronounced under the strain of caregiving.
• Disagreements over an elder’s condition and capabilities. It’s common for family members to have very different ideas about what’s wrong with a loved one and what should be done about it. You may be convinced that your family member is no longer capable of driving, while your brothers argue that he needs to maintain his independence.
• Disagreements over financial matters, estate planning, family inheritance and other practical issues. How to pay for a family member’s care is often a huge cause of tension. Financial concerns can influence decisions about where the person should live, whether or not a particular medical intervention is needed, and whether he can afford a housekeeper. These conflicts are often fueled by ongoing resentment over income disparities and perceived inequities in the distribution of the family estate.
• Burden of care. Experts say the most common source of discord among family members occurs when the burden of caring for an elder isn’t distributed equally. Home Instead Senior Care research reveals that in 43 percent of U.S. families and 41 percent of Canadian families, one sibling has the responsibility for providing most or all of the care for mom or dad. “Usually one of the adult children in the family takes on most of the caregiving tasks,” says Donna Schempp, program director at the Family Caregiver Alliance (www.caregiver.org) a national nonprofit organization that provides information and support to caregivers.

Engaging parents in caregiving issues is important and so are family meetings that involve a third party if necessary. A third-party resource, particularly a professional such as a doctor or geriatric care manager, can provide an impartial voice of reason.

“Talking before a crisis is best,” Dr. Connidis said. “Talk to one another about perceptions of what happens if seniors need help, how available you would be, and the options that you and your family would consider.”

For more information about the 50-50 Rule program, visit www.solvingfamilyconflict.com.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

If you’re not more careful in preventing tripping hazards in your home, slips and falls can seriously injure you or a loved one. It can also impact a visitor to your home and have you end up in court.

Want to minimize injuries at your home? It all begins with being more proactive in preventing falls before they occur and incorporating some simple universal design features.

Maintain your property. Make sure you’re always maintaining the property and that there is not a dangerous condition present. You can hire a contractor to come in and inspect your premises. But there are also many things you can do yourself to make your home as safe as possible. For instance, if you have a loose floor board or a wet floor, be sure to mop up the floor or put a nail in that floor board.

Level flooring. While you may do your best to make sure your floor is dry or there are no loose floor boards, there are some common overlooked areas that present a tripping hazard for your employees and patients. The mis-elevation between one floor level and another is often a cause for trips. A change of elevation as much as 3/4 of an inch can be a tripping hazard for some people. Leveling them can prevent future accidents.

Zero step entry. Whether you are a senior who has arthritic knees, a child with a physical disability, or even a young mother pushing her baby in a stroller, creating at least one zero step entry makes it easier and safer to go in and out of the house. At least one no-step entry to the house either through the front, back, or garage door is recommended.

Doormats and carpeting. Examine the door mats or carpeting around the doorways. Are any of them turned up or folded in a way that can trip up a patient?

Sliding doors. Sliding doors can also present a problem. If the door slams on someone’s shoulders as they are walking through, it can cause some people, particularly elderly people, to fall. Take the time to inspect these items and other places in your home that can be a potential tripping or slipping hazard on a regular basis.

Wider Doorways. Entryway doors should be at least 32 inches wide and interior doors at least 30 inches wide to allow for ample room for anyone to pass through.

Lever-Style Door Handles. These handles will make it easier for anyone to open and shut your front or back door because it doesn’t require any grasping or twisting to operate.

Covered Entryway. Not only will a covering help protect the porch from precipitation, but yourself as well from rain and snow, preventing potential slips and falls.

Safe Stairs. If you have steps leading up to one of your entryways, and you do not want a zero step entry, at least make sure your handrails are sturdy and in good shape to make it easier for you to climb up and down.

From handyman services to equipment maintenance, we take the worry out of home ownership. Home Evolutions’ Home Maintenance Program will help you protect your most significant investment—your home. Call 412.766.3625 today to schedule an appointment. Your home will never look more beautiful or operate better than when maintained by Home Evolutions.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

A recent article by Tom Banse discusses a growing trend in the Aging-in-Place movement—senior concierge services.

According to Banse, the holidays are sometimes the one time of year when far flung families reunite. “It’s also a chance for adult children to see how their aging parents are faring,” he adds. The article contends that the fast growth of the older population is fueling interest in a new breed of nonprofit that seeks to enable seniors to stay in their own homes longer. Banse notes that this involves a twist on the adage, “…it takes a village.”

The article profiles Philip Theil, who is 91 years old. This former naval architect lives in a century-old, Craftsman-style house in Seattle’s University District—and that’s where he wants to stay. “As far as I’m concerned, I would not like to leave this place,” Theil says. “Living in a group situation is something I couldn’t tolerate—I’d kill myself before I had to do that!”

Theil explains that he and his wife manage pretty well right now. Their two story house is stuffed to the rafters with the books, artwork, and projects of a life well lived. But the couple can feel their advancing age and they realize that they will need more help soon with basic household chores—like that light bulb at the top of the stairs.

“To change that tube, I have to bring in a stepladder and put it partly on the landing and partly on the stairs and climb up,” Theil notes. “It’s kind of trepiditious.” Banse notes that “in the old days, you’d ask your kid to climb up there or maybe the teenager from down the street when he comes over to mow the lawn.” But for the Theils, those days are done and the kids are grown up and gone.

“We have kids and we call them occasionally, but one lives in Munich, Germany, another lives in London, and a third lives in Los Angeles,” he explains. “They’re not going to drop around for a weekend call type of thing!”

So the Theils are looking into joining a “Virtual Village.” It’s not a village in the literal sense, but a local network of volunteers and service providers dedicated to helping the elderly age-in-place. The concept originated in Boston, and then grew into a national movement that’s now arriving in the Northwest.

Tom La Pointe was recently hired to start a “village” organization in Moscow, Idaho. “The ‘silver tsunami’ is the term that’s tossed about,” La Pointe says. “We are trying to get ready for what is anticipated to be a glut of baby boomers retiring within the next twenty or more years.”

La Pointe’s nonprofit, named My Own Home, aims to serve a vast middle ground of seniors—those who are too well off to qualify for public services, but not rich enough to afford their own staff to do things like change light bulbs.

Judy Kinney directs a similar start-up called North East Seattle Together (NEST). “When someone calls us, they may say, ‘I need help with transportation.’ We’re going to work with them to see if it is a volunteer that helps, if it’s a vetted vendor that helps, or if there is a community service in place,” Kinney explains. “That’s the process we’re going to do when someone picks up the phone. People have called it a concierge—people call and say, ‘I need this help.’ We help you figure out the best choice.”

Kinney’s group is one of about half a dozen in the Northwest aiming to launch in the first half of 2012. A pair in Oregon is already in operation, one in Florence on the coast and there’s also the High Desert Village in Bend.

The most requested services include rides to the doctor, simple home repairs, help with grocery shopping, and picking up prescriptions or big items. In Moscow, Idaho, La Pointe imagines snow shoveling, yard work, or computer tech support will also rank high. “On the other hand, if you need daily care or 24/7 care, that is not what we do. We don’t do bathing services for example,” he says. “We are here and we exist for the folks who might need a little extra assistance—that light bulb I talked about earlier.”

La Pointe says his non-profit is not a charity. It, like the others, will charge a membership fee. In the Palouse, that comes to $450 per year for a single person and $550 for a household. He is aiming for 40 members by the end of next year.

From handyman services to equipment maintenance, we take the worry out of home ownership. Home Evolutions’ Home Maintenance Program will help you protect your most significant investment—your home. Call 412.766.3625 today to schedule an appointment. Your home will never look more beautiful or operate better than when maintained by Home Evolutions.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

Home Evolutions would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year! See you in 2012!

As loved ones grow older, sometimes the hardest conversations to have are about the future and what happens next. Whether the topic is about aging-in-place and discussing necessary modifications to one’s home in order to remain living comfortably, safely, and independently, or eventual part- or full-time care options—it is never an easy talk to have.

An article by Christopher Cussat for Western Pennsylvania Hospital News showcases a recent theatrical performance at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), in partnership with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF), Forbes Hospice, and the Area Agency on Aging, which used the platform of dramatic arts to encourage more open and frequent conversations about aging among family members in the community.

The play was entitled, “Dusk,” and it explored end-of-life decision making through the experiences of a typical American family. It was presented free of charge in the hospital’s Magovern Auditorium and was written by Spokane, Washington playwright Bryan Hartineaux.

According to Debra Caplan, Senior Vice President of AGH, there is a local movement building to raise awareness about the value of advanced planning around end-of-life issues. “AGH and the Northside Leadership Conference have joined this mission to help individuals understand the importance of ‘having the conversation’ with family and healthcare providers. The constant challenge is to enable individuals to feel comfortable talking about their wishes and plans.” She adds that the “Dusk” performance addressed this issue in a non-threatening, even humorous setting. “The unique, dramatic reading enabled the audience members to learn about end-of-life issues in a safe venue that let them absorb the information and begin to determine their personal next steps.”

“Dusk” is part of a series of programs that the AGH Northside Partnership initiated with the Northside Community in 2009 regarding end-of-life planning. In collaboration with several local organizations, it presented “Vesta” in 2009—a play also written by Hartineaux which focused on end-of-life issues in the African American Community.

But this latest creative installment explored the difficulties involved in coming to terms with making life-sustaining treatment option decisions on both a medical and personal level. Specifically, “Dusk” is the story of an aging father, a fractured family, and their struggles with healthcare decision-making. The play’s main character, Gil Everette, has recently had a heart attack and is now in congestive heart failure. On the eve of his 65th birthday, Gil and his adult children, along with a medical social worker on hand, explore his wishes regarding life sustaining treatment options. This occurs while he is challenged by his children to fill out and sign a physician’s orders form. According to Keri Harmicar, AGH Northside Partnership Coordinator, “Dusk” is a thoughtful exploration of this familiar family tableau, and the story is told with a keen awareness of related medical and legal problems—yet it is rich in character and humor.

Following the reading, there was a panel discussion by:  Randy Hebert MD, Medical Director, Forbes Hospice and Division Director, Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS); Justin Engelka, Hospice and Palliative Care Manager, AGH; Mildred Morrison, Director of the Area Agency on Aging; and Nancy Zionts, Chief Program Officer, JHF. This allowed the audience to ask questions about the play and specifically about the ethical, medical, and other related issues surrounding end-of-life. Caplan explains, “The panel of experts that followed enhanced the experience—they provided direct answers to questions from the audience, dispelled myths, and listed local tools and resources for end-of-life decision making.” She adds that as a result, attendees left with a heightened awareness of the issues and concrete information to share with their families.

“Part of our overall mission is to explore the myriad of issues surrounding death and dying,” says Caplan (who also oversees the AGH Northside Community Partnership). “Producing this play was a great way to start a conversation focusing on end-of-life decision-making with one’s family and physician. We encouraged people to attend with a significant other—a spouse, grandparent, son, daughter, or other person who has played a prominent role in their lives,” she adds.

Harmicar notes that dramatic theatrical presentations can also stimulate conversations on end-of-life issues. “‘Dusk’ increases our understanding, particularly about and related to things associated with physicians’ orders, complex decision-making forms, advanced directives, and the like.” Caplan agrees, “The performance arts can be utilized as an important vehicle to further our understanding of this complex topic and bring the conversation to the community.”

“Dusk” originally premiered in Spokane in 2007 where theatre critic, Jim Kershner, said, “This play delivers exactly what it promises. It puts you inside what feels like a real, honest, family crisis, and it makes you grapple with an issue that will be even more common as the baby boomer generation comes of age.”

The performance of “Dusk” was one of many local outreach efforts connected through Closure, an initiative of the JHF that utilizes a series of community conversations, online learning (www.closure.org), and a free speakers’ bureau comprised of healthcare-related professionals who volunteer their time.

CAPS designated remodelers like Home Evolutions can help you choose the home renovations that are right for you and within your budget in order for you to achieve all of your aging-in-place needs.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

P.S.  From our family to yours—Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

As we discussed previously, the number of Americans who are age 65 and older is expected to nearly double over the next 20 years, and 20 percent of seniors believe they will always live in their current residence. New state laws and initiatives are helping older Americans accomplish that.

The National Conference of State Legislatures and the AARP Public Policy Institute has released “Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices,” a report that examines how land use, transportation and housing initiatives at the state level affect quality of life for seniors and help them stay in their homes longer. It points out that seniors resorting to institutional care can lead to increased costs for states.

The major findings that enable aging in place include the following:

Land Use: Certain land use policies can help older adults live closer to or within walking distance of the services they need. Of Americans age 65 and over, 21 percent don’t drive a car, making land use and transportation critical to access services.

At least 12 states have statutes addressing transit-oriented development (TOD) — the concept that housing, offices and retail should be located close to transit stops. They are providing grants and incentives for development and are acquiring land to make TOD more feasible. For instance, through the Transit-Oriented Development Bond Program, the state of Massachusetts has given out more than $13 million for housing, bike parking and pedestrian facilities near transit stations. Their state legislature has provided an additional $20 million.

Transportation: Increased mobility options can reduce reliance on transportation by personal car. In 2008, seniors age 65 and older made up 13 percent of the population, but were involved in 15 percent of vehicle fatalities and 19 percent of pedestrian deaths.

To help residents travel more safely by automobile, bike, walking and transit, 25 states have implemented “complete streets” policies. Some state laws now designate pedestrians and cyclists as “vulnerable users,” and at least 10 states have considered similar laws in the past 5 years. Also addressing transportation issues for seniors, Oregon and Georgia have laws that specifically protect volunteer drivers from civil liability.

Housing: Affordable, accessible housing can decrease institutionalization and meet consumer demand. With 48 percent of mortgage holders and 59 percent of renters age 65 or older spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Forty states have housing trust funds to build and finance affordable housing.

According to a 2006 survey, 68 percent of funds surveyed addressed housing for older adults and 12 percent had specific regulations that give extra consideration to projects for that demographic. To address building standards, Texas requires that affordable housing has to meet accessibility standards — such as bathrooms with grab bars and wide hallways — before receiving state or federal funds.

The report also includes promising state practices in each of these areas. Learn more by downloading Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices.”

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

Occasionally, we like to profile different organizations who are making a difference in the aging-in-place market. One such company is Texas-based SCOOTER Store, Inc.  As executive vice president of local channels for the Texas-based SCOOTER Store, Inc., Ricardo Flores-Clar helps people who are constrained by physical limitations.

“Our mission is to provide freedom and independence to people with limited mobility,” he says. “We provide power mobility for those people and essentially liberate them from those physical limitations and allow them to lead a more fulfilling life.”

One of the key strategies to the company’s success has been its commitment to this mission, according to Flores-Clar.

“We’ve been able to affect the lives of nearly a half million people by enabling them to live with more dignity, and to be free and independent from their mobility limitations,” he says. “This job has truly allowed me to live a purposeful life. I come here every day and interact with some of the most awesome, humble, and joyful people you can ever imagine.”

The company was founded in 1991 by Doug and Suzanna Harrison who were both in the petroleum business but spent a great deal of time apart from one another. He was an engineer and spent a lot of time at sea working in the Gulf oil rigs. They decided to start The SCOOTER Store so they could spend more time with each other. It grew little by little, then by leaps and bounds in the early 2000s. In 2008, it reached peak levels of historical performance in terms of sales.

“Our ownership is one who dares to take risks,” remarks Flores-Clar. “They are willing to take leaps of faith for what they believe is right and they created that same tone with the rest of the executive team. They know that we have the capability to come up with the solutions to any problems that may arise. The culture of the company is also one of open communications and a culture of celebration of each other’s successes and caring for each other.”

Although Flores-Clar has been with the company for 5 ½ years, he says it has faced some tremendous challenges, including price cuts from payer sources and many restrictions placed on the industry.

“We absorbed every possible challenge thrown our way,” he says. “That’s because the driving force is the commitment to the mission. It can be as simple as someone living in a senior community, who because of mobility limitations, doesn’t see anyone for three years. Now we can provide them with a power chair and they’re able to go to the dining hall and meet people who they can go to the chapel with or play cards together. Their whole mental outlook changes. We talk about physical limitations being overcome with our products and services, but it’s also mental. They experience greater joy and family life and more connectedness with other human beings. They can participate with their families and live with more dignity of being able to take care of themselves, where before they couldn’t do that.”

Flores-Clar notes that for every power chair that Medicare or private insurance approves (at a cost of about $4,000), it saves the Medicare system and private insurance about $15,000 in the period of two years in fall-related injuries and hospitalization.

“That’s a heck of a return,” he says.

Talking to Flores-Car, you can hear the sense of pride swell in his voice as he talks about his career. As a person who has found his calling in life, he offers three pieces of advice for other Hispanic business executives.

“First, be clear about what your natural gifts and talents are,” he says. “Every person is born with a set of gifts, something that you can do that is better than hundreds of people. Identify what your gifts and talents are and make a courageous commitment to develop those gifts into strengths, and then put them to the service of others. Understand what you are passionate about and be clear about your purpose in this world.”

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

Last week we offered the first part of this list of maintenance recommendations for your house now that Winter is almost upon us. Below are our remaining tips which complete last week’s general list that you should consider doing to make your home safer and ready for the new upcoming season:

General Winter Maintenance Quick Tips/Home Maintenance Winter Checklist:

• Check the basement floor drain to ensure that the trap contains water—refill with water if necessary.

• Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change washers as needed.

• Faucets requiring frequent replacement of washers may be in need of repair.

• If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub, or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.

• Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs, and shower stalls.

• Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working and to prevent them from seizing.

• Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks—if found, make a note to repair or replace in the Spring.

• Examine your attic for frost accumulation.

• Check your roof for ice dams or icicles.

• Check electrical cords, plugs, and outlets for all indoor and outdoor seasonal lights to ensure fire safety—if worn, or if plugs or cords feel warm to the touch, replace immediately.

From handyman services to equipment maintenance, we take the worry out of home ownership. Home Evolutions’ Home Maintenance Program will help you protect your most significant investment—your home. Call 412.766.3625 today to schedule an appointment. Your home will never look more beautiful or operate better than when maintained by Home Evolutions.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

Well…it’s been Christmas according to the malls for weeks already…but that nip in the air also verifies the undeniable reality—Winter is blowing in fast! So before it gets too cold outside, now is the perfect time to get your home ready for this season by completing the following Winter maintenance recommendations and checklists for your residence. (Don’t wait for Santa to do these for you…he’s already got enough on his plate!):

General Winter Maintenance Quick Tips/Home Maintenance Winter Checklist:

• Check, clean, and if necessary, replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.

• After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual—drain off a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank to control sediment and maintain efficiency.

• Clean your humidifier two or three times during the winter season.

• Vacuum your bathrooms’ fan grilles.

• Vacuum fire and smoke detectors—because dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning.

• Vacuum radiator grilles on the back of refrigerators and freezers—and empty and clean drip trays.

• Check the gauges on all fire extinguishers—recharge or replace them if necessary.

• Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and related hardware, as well as lighting around the outside of your house.

• Ensure that your family has good safety and security habits.

• Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels and take corrective actions. For example, condensation on your windows can cause significant damage over time and pose serious health problems.

Look for Part #2 of our Winter Maintenance Checklist next week right here on our website!

Home Evolutions, your Independent Living Strategist, with more than 25 years experience in home remodeling, can help create a Home Maintenance Program to meet your specific needs. Call 412.766.3625 today to schedule an appointment. Your home will never look more beautiful or operate better than when maintained by Home Evolutions.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

This recent article in the New York Times focused on how multigenerational homes are becoming more commonplace these days. Financial strains and unemployment are forcing many families to live together. In other ways, though, it’s also easier for families to take care of one another. For instance, whether it’s the grandparents taking care of the grandchildren while the parents are working, or whether it’s children looking after their elderly parents. However, Michael Litchfield, author of “In-laws, Outlaws and Granny Flats, says that this arrangement is not for everybody. “It is like having two sovereign nations next to each other.”

So be absolutely sure this is something you want to pursue. Of course, having families moving in together also means expanding or retrofitting your home. Zoning is an important issue to consider. Zoning varies across the country and it can create a variety of obstacles, whether a family wants to add a free-standing unit, expand the existing home or create an apartment above a garage or in the basement.

According to the American Planning Association, at least four states—California, Massachusetts, Vermont and Washington—now have laws requiring changes to the zoning rules to allow these modified accessory dwelling units, also known as A.D.U.’s. Other challenges at the local level include parking. Many residential areas require the unit to have an extra space off the street. Also, there may be rules as to where the spot can sit on the property.

In some cities, you may also need a minimum lot size to make modifications. According to the New York Times article, “others might require the unit to be a certain number of feet from the rear and side property lines. In fact, all the rules have driven many homeowners to just roll the dice and add the units without their community’s blessing.”

One great benefit advocates have touted that have led municipalities to change its zoning laws and ease other restrictions is that A.D.U.’s help create a source of affordable housing—at no cost to the government.

A great benefit to consumers is that creating a unit within the footprint of the existing home is less expensive. “Carving out a couple of rooms and adding a kitchenette is also typically more economical than, say, renovating an attic, which often requires structural work because it was meant for storage,” says Litchfield.

Besides the financial benefits, the article concludes that probably the most satisfying part of an A.D. U. Is that seniors can find comfort and security, and it also allows them to age in place with their loved ones. In many cases, it’s a win-win for both the parents and their children. Parents with disposable income can help offset the cost of the modification and can help pay a portion of the mortgage and even split the household grocery and utility bills.

As a homeowner, you can hire a local builder, like Home Evolutions, to complete this project. Home Evolutions will take you from start to finish of your home improvement or enhancement project with minimal hassle and maximum results. We will work with you to meet all of your desires and needs.

Home Evolutions, your Independent Living Strategist, has more than 25 years of experience in home remodeling. Let us help you plan and complete the best remodeling projects for your home that will perfectly fit your lifestyle and budget. Call 412.766.3625 today to schedule an appointment.

Are you following us on Twitter? How about Facebook?—Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.